Viruses - Microsofts attitude - Steve G
As recent discussions have been on Viruses i would like to ask if any of you are in the same situation as me.
My computer was recently attack by the Code Red and Nimda virus strains.
It seems windows NT/2000 are more open to attack by internet based viruses.
Apparently the Nimda strain was developed to attack computers which already had the code red virus.
I have Norton Antivirus 2001 which is regular updated but somehow i still managed to have Code red and Nimda viruses.
After Quarantining these viruses i downloaded the recommended security patches for windows 2000 professional and IE 5.5 , but could not use them because i did not have the latest service pack with either .To my astonishment Microsoft still charge for these service packs even when its their software which has serious security flaws.
Would any other type of business charge customers to fix faults which are clearly present in their products ?
Would a motor manufacturer who is recalling some cars say --
We have found a fault with fuel lines which we have modified and will replace free of charge, but YOU will have to buy a new fuel tank so we can attach them.
Re: Viruses - Microsofts attitude - THe Growler
If its the Service Pcks I think you mean they can be downloaded from the Windows Update website.
Microsoft Service Packs are FREE - G Hall
On Internet Explorer v5, click on Tools, select the option "Windows Update" and you will be taken to the Free upgrade site where all the latest service packs, security updates, improvemennts, bug-patches, etc. can be downloaded free.
Re: Microsoft Service Packs are FREE - El Dingo (Martin)
IE version 6 is now available, which includes all the security features of 5 and 5.5. It seems to be bug free......
Re: Microsoft Service Packs are FREE - THe Growler
Agree. There are loads of free e-mail programs on the Web as well. I use at least three, as well as one I give to people I hate. These are listed alphabetically, beginning with Barclays Bank.
Re: paying for security - G Hall
What Steve says is untrue, but if it was true, the situation is more like finding that a thief can get in to your car past the factory fitted standard security systems, and you then choosing to fit additional or improved anti-theft devices at extra cost to protect your car.
Re: whoops - Steve G
Apologies...

Seems a link that i used from symantec site was for upgrades not service packs !
Thanks for the advice and putting me right on this.
Perhaps Microsoft is wonderful company after all ;)
Re: Viruses - Microsofts attitude - Lekas
There was news on CEEFAX this afternoon about a new virus, BadTrans-B I think it was. This works its way in via Outlook Express when you deal with email online and does NOT need an attachment, as earlier ones did.
Re: Viruses - Microsofts attitude - Honest John
That's the one. Thanks to Chrissama, there is lots of advice in The Backroom to go to www.antivirus.com which tells you how to get rid of various versions of this and even offers a free download to kill off WORM_BADTRANS.A. The trouble is whatever I'm being hit with (I think it's WORM_BADTRANS.B) keeps coming back. Plays havoc with Outlook Express and the relationships between Outlook and other Microsoft programmed such as Word 2000.

HJ
Re: Viruses - Ditch Outlook - David Millar
I know we get set in our ways but there is an easy way to avoid these particular viruses which are mostly written to have a go at Microsoft products. Simply stop using Outlook and get a free downloadable copy of Pegasus Mail. I think Eudora is also OK for not being susceptible to these viruses but have not used it. Pegasus is available from a number of sources simply by doing a quick search. I use the main bits of Microsoft's Office but find Pegasus to be intuitive and easy to work with. It may cause some inconvenience with existing stored files but in the long run it takes away a lot of worry.

David
Re: Viruses - Microsofts attitude - David W
HJ,

Actually thanks to Larder Boy it sounds as if you've ended up with a useless anti-virus program.

After I let the first BADTRANS in due to it being newer than my Norton 2001AV latest update, got rid of the worm and did the post Nov 24th update everything is fine.

Outlook Express back to normal and I've received several more BADTRANS e-mails today but each time Norton 2001 has quickly dealt with them.

David
Re: NAV and BADTRANS - John Slaughter
David

Think you're right.

See following from the Symantec (Norton) newsletter received this morning..

W32.Badtrans.B@mm

W32.Badtrans.B@mm is a MAPI worm that emails itself out as a file
with one of several different names. This worm also creates a .dll in
the \Windows\System directory as Kdll.dll. It uses functions from
this .dll to log keystrokes. Virus definitions dated November 24,
2001 will detect this worm. For additional information, point your
Web browser to:

www.symantec.com/techsupp/vURL.cgi/nav108

I must say I've found norton Antivirus 2000 fine. Certainly caught a few bugs.

Good 330 worth

Regards

JS
Re: NAV and BADTRANS - John Slaughter
That should be £30 of course!

Damn shift key is getting flakey!

JS